Brett Berard was about to put a three-game point streak on the line in AHL Hartford when he got a call from Rangers assistant general manager Ryan Martin on Sunday.
Instead of lacing up with the Wolf Pack, Berard was told he’d be headed to New York to make his NHL debut with the Blueshirts on Monday night against the Blues at Madison Square Garden.
The recall couldn’t have come at a better time for Berard, who was the Wolf Pack’s leading scorer with 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 16 games so far this season.
“I think the biggest thing for me is to just stay confident,” said Berard, who registered his first NHL point (a secondary assist) to go along with two shots on goal, one hit and one takeaway in 11:13 of ice time in the Rangers’ 5-2 loss. “I think [my confidence] is high. I think down in Hartford, I was trying to get up here, so just trying to bring what I’ve learned down there so far this year up here and just play my game.
“It’s the same game I’ve been playing since I was three years old. Just a bigger stage in New York City, it’s the best place to play. I’m super excited and just try to play my best.”
The 22-year-old rookie lined up on the right wing of Mika Zibanejad and Will Cuylle to comprise what will likely serve as the Rangers second line.
He also took reps on the second power-play unit alongside Cuylle, Reilly Smith, Kaapo Kakko and Zac Jones.
Berard expressed feeling ready for the opportunity, citing how good he felt about his training camp. The fact that he was one of the last cuts in the preseason, he said, was an indication he could be close to getting the call.
Hailing from Rhode Island, Berard said he’d have a bunch of family in the stands Monday night.
“Sometimes you only get one shot to prove yourself,” said Berard, the 134th-overall pick in 2020. “I have that shot tonight, so hopefully I can go out there and do what I do.”
Alexis Lafreniere replaced an injured Chris Kreider on the Rangers first power-play unit.
Igor Shesterkin got the starting nod on Monday against the Blues, stopping 38 of the 42 shots he faced.